Rose McGowan on Harvey Weinstein: Actress claims it's a 'miracle' she is 'still here and sane' after her 'harrowing' experience of abuse

By MailOnline Reporter

Published: 11:47 EDT, 26 April 2018 | Updated: 13:53 EDT, 26 April 2018

Rose McGowan has claimed it is 'nothing short of a miracle' that she is 'still here and sane' after the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal. 

The actress, 44, was one of the first to come forward against the now-disgraced producer, 66, and has been vocal about the following allegations and women's rights in Hollywood ever since.

Speaking to T2 on Thursday, Rose revealed her shock that she is still so positive, after her 'harrowing' experience in the industry following his sexual misconduct. 

Honest: Rose McGowan has claimed it is 'nothing short of a miracle' that she is 'still here and sane' after the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal

Honest: Rose McGowan has claimed it is 'nothing short of a miracle' that she is 'still here and sane' after the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal

Rose claimed last year that Harvey forced her into a sexual act in a hot tub back in 1997, and has since been an activist for the stand against abuse in the industry.

After the traumatic incident in her youth, the actress admitted the producer would still make her pose with him on the red carpet - which she describes as completely unbearable.

She explained: 'He'd grab you tightly around the ribcage and you would just leave your body and smile because what else can you do in front of the cameras when you're being touched by the person who hurt you, who ruined your life?'

Back in the day: The actress, 44, was one of the first to come forward against the now-disgraced producer, 66, and has been vocal about the following allegations ever since

Back in the day: The actress, 44, was one of the first to come forward against the now-disgraced producer, 66, and has been vocal about the following allegations ever since

With the abuse itself horrific, Rose added that the fallout has been just as difficult to deal with - with Weinstein later accusing her of being 'difficult' to work with, limiting the number of roles she was offered.

The producer has since denied this, but Rose explained of the difficult time: 'I was alone in that world and it was harrowing. Even my family were confused about the difference between the person they knew and the character they read about constantly being slut-shamed.' 

Before adding of her strength: 'The fact I'm still here and have come through quite sane is nothing short of a miracle.'

Opening up: The interview comes after Rose accused the disgraced producer of reaching out to her since she made allegations of rape against him

Opening up: The interview comes after Rose accused the disgraced producer of reaching out to her since she made allegations of rape against him

The interview comes after Rose accused the disgraced producer of reaching out to her since she made allegations of rape against him.

The actress was in London on Wednesday when she told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire that she had 'no idea' how he obtained her number to send messages.

Last October, the former Charmed star accused Weinstein of assaulting her in a hotel suite in 1997 and is one of many women who have made allegations of sexual harassment or assault against the disgraced mogul. 

In London: The actress has been in London speaking about the ordeal on radio and TV chat shows

In London: The actress has been in London speaking about the ordeal on radio and TV chat shows

Rose told the interviewer that she believed he had tried to make indirect contact with her through the media and through ominous messages in the last month.

'Texts, things like that,' she revealed. 'I've got no idea how he got my number.'

She then accused him of using 'Mossad agents' to track her in the past, adding: '[So] getting my personal phone number wouldn't be that hard.'

Rose - who was last seen at a fashion party in London on Wednesday night - explained how she received messages from, 'Somebody that worked with him a month ago, on his behalf.'

Reaching out: She was pictured on Wednesday night at the House Of Osman launch party

Reaching out: She was pictured on Wednesday night at the House Of Osman launch party

'I shook,' she revealed. 'It was like a bullet once again. I don't even understand what the point was. I can't even understand to what end? The cat is out of the bag now.'

Later, she claimed that she believed the contact was directed at her on behalf of Weinstein. 

'It was essentially: "So and so wants you to..." - alluding to him wanting to get in touch. It could have been some random person but that would also be a long-shot.'

'I [haven't had any] direct contact with him, just from people trying to terrorise me. People that he paid to terrorise me. People like his crisis PR agency. It's communicating to me, but through the media.'

Indirect contact: Harvey Weinstein has been accused of paying off sexual harassment victims 'for years' to keep them quiet

Indirect contact: Harvey Weinstein has been accused of paying off sexual harassment victims 'for years' to keep them quiet

Rose has been one of the most vocal of Weinstein's alleged victims since a damning New York Times article last October, entitled: 'Harvey Weinstein Paid Off Sexual Harassment Accusers for Decades'. 

The Hollywood producer has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.

'I said it loud for years,' Rose told Derbyshire. 'Because what so many people don't realise is that the shame is not ours, it's the perpetrator's shame. Not ours.'   

Rose has been in London promoting the book Brave, in which she discusses her experiences and how women in the film industry have been treated.

In it she contrasts the religious communes she spent her childhood in, with what she describes as 'the cult of Hollywood'. 

While in London, the actress attended the House Of Osman launch party supported by Peroni Ambra on Wednesday evening.

Earlier that day, she had also appeared on the Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2, saying that she tried to expose Weinstein using the money he gave her to stay silent after he allegedly raped her.

Speaking about the alleged incident, McGowan denied that $100,000 she received afterwards was a settlement.

She said: 'I requested money. I wanted to buy a billboard that said "his name" is a rapist.

Reaching out: Rose has said that she believes Harvey is using the media and his people to reach out

Reaching out: Rose has said that she believes Harvey is using the media and his people to reach out

Directly? While she said it has been indirect so far, Rose told Victoria Derbyshire that she knew Harvey was sending a message

Directly? While she said it has been indirect so far, Rose told Victoria Derbyshire that she knew Harvey was sending a message

To what end? She said she couldn't understand why he would need to be in touch when 'the cat was out of the bag'

To what end? She said she couldn't understand why he would need to be in touch when 'the cat was out of the bag'

'I thought if no-one was going to listen to me, then I could make them, on Sunset Boulevard, outside the Chateau Marmont hotel. I wanted that billboard right there.

'I called them myself, Net Outdoors, the biggest billboard company at the time. They turned me down, surprisingly.

'I donated some (of the money) to a rape crisis foundation.

'I thought if I went to therapy, bless my young heart, for at least two months I could solve this. And I could get back to who I was.'

McGowan also spoke out against Weinstein's staff who she says knew about his behaviour but did nothing to stop him.

Describing an encounter moments before he allegedly forced himself onto her, she said: 'There were two assistants that opened the door when I was sent upstairs. I remember saying a very chipper 'good morning' and they wouldn't look at me.

'And I remember thinking "you're not very friendly – that's rude". And afterwards you replay every moment, every reason why they didn't look at you.'

The actress spoke about the 'toxic masculinity' that Hollywood films project and how supposedly strong female leads fall within that.

She explained: 'Let's look at strong female leads. Arguably in most of them – and I've played them – you're strong.

'You get to act like a man but we (directors) get to put you in a mini-skirt to wear while you do it. Here's your gun'.' 

Show off support: The TV star was supporting designer Osman Yousefzada in the British capital while she does promotion for her book, Brave

Show off support: The TV star was supporting designer Osman Yousefzada in the British capital while she does promotion for her book, Brave

In the spirit: She has been one of Weinstein's most vocal alleged victims

In the spirit: She has been one of Weinstein's most vocal alleged victims

Party: Models Martine Lervik, Eliza Cummings, Edwina Preston, Osman Yousefzada, Betty Bachz and Frankie Herbert were also at the bash

Party: Models Martine Lervik, Eliza Cummings, Edwina Preston, Osman Yousefzada, Betty Bachz and Frankie Herbert were also at the bash

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